LeBron James has decided to join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami, according to multiple sources that spoke with Newsday.

"Multiple sources are telling Newsday that LeBron James has decided to join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami," wrote Hahn on his original Tweet, posted shortly after midnight Eastern. "The new Big Three is here."

Kevin Durant has agreed to a five-year contract extension with the Thunder, according to his official Twitter page. The terms of the deal are unclear, but the Thunder`s star can`t sign the deal until Thursday when the NBA`s moratorium is lifted.

HoopsVibe`s Very Quick Call: There was no celebrity pitch. There was no rock star tour. There was no discussion of filming a documentary. And there were no demands for a superstar teammate.

Once again, the Oklahoma City Thunder and their superstar Kevin Durant hit exactly the right note, quietly agreeing to terms Wednesday on what will surely be a maximum extension.

While Durant broke the news on twitter, he was, as usual, gracious, honest, and appreciative.
Kevin Durant: Exstension for 5 more years wit the #thunder.... God Is Great, me and my family came a long way...I love yall man forreal, this a blessing!

How novel?

An NBA superstar actually acknowledging he’s blessed, and not treating the negotiating process like an opportunity to manipulate fans.

To be fair, the three-man was not an unrestricted free agent, so he had significantly less leverage than the big names in this year’s free agent class.

Still, at 21, Durant may be the youngest of the NBA’s elite; however, the maturity with which he handled the process is something the current crop of greats - like Chris Bosh – can learn from.

If the small market Thunder can keep his supporting cast together, they should be rewarded with playoff success.

Wade and Bosh are expected to announce their decision on Wednesday, according to the source, and continue to lobby James, along with Heat president Pat Riley, to join them in Miami, despite the financial complexities involved for the Heat to make room for all three.

LeBron James probably isn’t leaving his home of Cleveland, Ohio to join the NBA’s newest dynamic duo, Bosh and Wade, in Miami.

Simply put, James is The King. While he’s a rule-by-consensus, constitutional monarchy type of king, he still has to be the undisputed first option.

He’s the lead dog. He’s the Alpha Male. And he’s the Michael Jackson of whatever group he`s in -minus the white glove, interviews with Martin Banshear, and threats of dropping a child over the balcony.

It’s always been this way. Always will be, too. So James probably won`t ink a deal with the Heat, where he would have to share the rock with another ball dominating guard in Wade.

Bosh and Wade knew this, but still, reportedly, signed in Miami. Now they must win with a limited supporting cast, which isn`t easy in a competitive Eastern Conference.

Instead of gambling on James, they should have, perhaps, hedged their bets and signed with the Chicago Bulls.

After all, young Derrick Rose is one of the NBA’s best point guards, while Joakim Noah is a nasty, blue-collar post. And Taj Gibson had a promising rookie campaign.

Best of all, the parts –unlike a Miami team with or without James – would fit together. So why didn`t Bosh and Wade give greater consideration to The Windy City?

Initially, he told reporters he was staying with the Miami Heat. Then he was reportedly enamoured with the Chicago Bulls. And now he's making promises to the New York Knicks -who will need much more than two superstars to win an NBA Title.

There's an explanation making the rounds. And it's not good.

Some have speculated Wade is hyping the process for a documentary he's producing about his free agency. If true, this shows poor taste, especially when compared to fellow free agent LeBron James, who invited teams to his home in Akron instead of touring the United States like a darn rock star.

Wade has now met with will all suitors. No more excuses or shenanigans. It's time for a decision.

Dwyane Wade grew up in Chicago. The Windy City has a certain hometown appeal for the athletic two-guard.

The Bulls` supporting cast also gives them an edge on every other suitor. After all, Derrick Rose is a superstar point guard, capable of creating for others and getting his own shot, while Joakim Noah is a physical, blue-collar post.

Keep in mind Chicago can offer Wade and another superstar a maximum contract, so the 2006 NBA Finals MVP will have help in the form of Chris Bosh or maybe even LeBron James.

When conisdering all the angles, it`s easy to see why Wade`s `interest is for real`.

The New York Knicks and Amar'e Stoudemire continued to move closer to an agreement to bring the free-agent forward to Madison Square Garden next season, but sources told ESPN that the deal has yet to be struck.

A person involved in the talks told The New York Times the Knicks have offered Stoudemire a five-year, $100 million deal -- the maximum allowed -- and are waiting to talk to him in person to complete the deal, which can't be signed until July 8 at the earliest.

After all, the New York Knicks and their fans spent years hoping for LeBron James. The front office cut salaries and practically encouraged losing, while fans watched a God-awful product shame their beloved Madison Square Garden.

Such a situation was tolerated because fans had hope -the hope they'd sign James this summer. Well, chances are they'll only end up with Amar'e Stoudemire.

Another second tier free agent may sign on. Maybe not.

Reports indicate Stoudemire and the Knicks are moving full speed ahead on an extension. STAT will score in bunches and entertain the NYC masses. However, the club is no closer to winning an NBA Title with him up front.

And wasn't that what the last two years were supposedly about? Weren't the Knicks losing so one day they'd win?

Well, their grand strategy looks to have failed. James probably isn’t coming; same with Dwyane Wade.

Even with Stoudemire, the New York Knicks need a new plan for 2011. Turns out hope wasn`t enough.

The sales pitch has got to be one of the toughest things to put together for any marketing team. It is one of those things that science alone cannot help them. The only way science can help is in producing the right numbers – the sweet science of money. There’s another science as well and that is the science of reproduction. Sex parties are the cure, but then again who wants herpes? That doesn’t cope well with these big name free agents doing public appearances. Even Delonte West gets clowned on and supposedly it’s just a birth mark.

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: The first big name of the 2010 market has fallen.

Reports indicate the Memphis Grizzlies have re-signed their own restricted free agent Rudy Gay for five-years and $82 million.

Gay was supposedly a fall-back for clubs with cap-space that failed to land tier-one free agents like LeBron James or Dwyane Wade. The feeling was these teams would float an offer sheet that small-market, cost-conscious Memphis would have trouble matching.

Well, the Grizzlies stepped-up.

In giving Gay – an explosive scorer at the three-spot – market value, Memphis showed they’ll keep young assets, so they can again challenge for a playoff spot in the competitive Western Conference.

Reports had the Minnesota Timberwolves trying to re-sign Darko Milicic because he impressed during his 24 game audition with the club last year.

And those same reports had the left-handed Serbian staying in 'Sota because he felt he'd finally get regular minutes.

The real story is what happens next.

With Milicic returning, the Wolves can try to move Al Jefferson and his $40 million long-term contract. There's no rush, though. Milicic's salary is reasonable, so the club could platoon him with Jefferson and youngster Kevin Love.

People involved with the NBA and sports media are really sticking their necks and reputations on the line. I love it! Their true colors are shown. We have never witnessed anything like this before. The entire free agency arms race is 10x more explosive than the Big Network’s extravaganza about Brett Favre and his jeans. Everyone has a hard on for LeBron. Analysts on television, print, and radio are arguing against each other over speculations. Speculations? That’s another word for opinion. Get your popcorn and enjoy the freak show! I have!

HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: One team's junk is another team's treasure.

Cap space is king for the New Jersey Nets, as the club needs financial flexibility to sign free agents this summer. And trading Yi Jianlian saves the Nets $3 million and puts them on equal footing with the Chicago Bulls.

Instead of conserving cap space to take a run at a big ticket free agent, the Washington Wizards are taking a different approach. The Wizards are acquiring assets on the cheap from teams who need to cut payroll to compete in the Chris Bosh, LeBron James, and/or Dwyane Wade sweepstakes.

For instance, the Wizards scored Kirk Hinrich on draft day. The cost: assuming the combo guard's $9 million per season salary.

Hinrich can back-up both guard spots and mentor first overall pick John Wall, while Yi will fill in for - and hopefully replace - injured four-man Andray Blatche.

Expect a few more of these deals before the July 1st free agent market opens.

David Kahn says he plans to call two agents at 11 o'clock Wednesday, when the NBA's free-agency negotiation period begins. I hear from a good league source that one of those two guys is Memphis forward Rudy Gay.I texted David Kahn for a confirmation or denial Monday evening and he did not respond.

The lowly Minnesota Timberwolves should target Rudy Gay, the athletic swing with the Memphis Grizzlies. While young and talented, Gay has been overlooked because this year`s free agent class features superstars Chris Bosh, LeBron James, Joe Johnson, Amar`e Stoudemire, and Dwyane Wade.

But Gay has the explosiveness to become an All-Star. And the Wolves are desperate for a small forward to complement their bevy of point guards and power forwards.

Best of all, Gay is ripe for the picking because Minnesota - which has just $25 million in committed salary for 2011 - can afford to float a big ticket offer, while small market Memphis may lack the resources to match.

So perhaps the Wolves make a splash in this summer`s free agent market.

"The Raptors would like to get something in a sign-and-trade for Bosh, but they likely won’t deal him in the East. The Lakers are expected to offer Andrew Bynum, a legitimate low post center, and Lamar Odom, and take back Jarrett Jack, whom the Raptors would like to move."

HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: All they can do is make the best of a bad situation.

After all, franchise face Chris Bosh seems destined to leave the Toronto Raptors as a free agent when the market opens July 1st. Executive Bryan Colangelo admitted as much at a recent press conference.

There's no easy way to lose a 26 year old superstar. However, there's an easier way.

For instance, if Chris Bosh joins fellow free agents LeBron James and/or Dwyane Wade in Miami or Chicago, he'll likely leave a year and $30 million on the table. And the Raptors will get nothing in return.

If Bosh inks a deal with the Raptors as part of a sign-and-trade, he can get the longest term and most money available. And the club can get something back, which is better than nothing.

Such a deal would achieve two things. First, Bynum is a legit five-man. His length, size, and ability to plug the middle would transform the Raptors into a more defensive side. And skilled post Andrea Bargnani could slide to the four-spot, his natural position.

Second, Bosh would be out west. He wouldn't be in the same conference. He wouldn't drop into Air Canada Centre several times a year with his new superstar teammates. He wouldn't win championships with the the Bulls or Heat. And all of this would allow the Raptors to save face.

Of course, the ball is in Bosh's court. As an unrestricted free agent, he holds most of the cards.

All Colangelo can do is offer a sign-and-trade. Joining Kobe Bryant and the NBA's best team may be enough for Bosh to re-consider his plans to partner with James and Wade, especially if he gets the maximum term and money.

This is the Raptors' only card, so Colangelo better do everything to play it.

"I’d obviously like to play for a winning team and win something. I got two boys and a wife and our home base is Miami so anywhere up and down this east coast would be a great fit for me."LinkHoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: There are two reasons Raja Bell - an unrestricted free agent - has interest in suiting up for the Miami Heat.
First, as Bell mentioned South Beach is home. He grew up in Florida. He went to college in Florida. And his family lives in Florida. So there's a sentimental attachment to the area.
Second, Bell is aware of a rumor making the viral rounds: Chris Bosh and LeBron James will join Dwyane Wade and sign with the Miami Heat instead of the Chicago Bulls.
James reportedly has concerns about the Bulls: owner Jerry Reinsdorf is always reluctant to spend on winning; Derrick Rose may struggle off the ball next to The King; there's no three-point gunner to spread the floor and keep opposing defenses honest; and Tom Thibodeau is a rookie coach.
(Of course, this could be conjecture and speculation. Chicago still has much to offer free agents.)
So Bell knows Miami could well become a contender -and surely wants in.
The Heat - after the dust settles with James and Bosh - should add Bell. His defense, intensity, and three-point stroke is perfect for a contending team. And he’d likely give oil-slick GM Pat Riley a hometown discount.
Right now, Miami is looking to make major moves, which could land them a useful veteran in Bell.
Got thoughts?

"I don't want to be mentioned as an addition to a team," Bosh said prior to the season. "I want to be mentioned as the guy that people want to center their team around."

"I'm not an addition. I'm a centerpiece," he said. "I have to have that confidence in myself, and I want people to know that, because I'm not somebody that helps out. I'm the guy you get like, 'Yo, we're going to win a championship, you're gonna take us there.'

ESPN scribe Chris Broussard once said this was the choice Chris Bosh would face when he hit free agency. Broussard reasoned that Bosh would max out as a good, O'Neal type player -if he signed somewhere as the 'centrepiece'.

However, the veteran writer believed Bosh would become a Hall of Fame, second-star like Pippen -if he agreed to sign on as LeBron James or Dwyane Wade's sidekick.

He's right. And Bosh's true colors will be revealed with his decision.

If he's about the accolades, if he's about getting his and only his, then Bosh signs somewhere as The Man and hits the golf course every May instead of playing meaningful basketball.

If he's about winning NBA Titles, if he's about greatness, he drops this 'centrepiece' stuff and partners with a once-in-a-generation-superstar like James or Wade.

We knew a few veteran players with big contracts and opt-out clauses would be entering free agency this July in order to avoid relying on the power of the union in its collective bargaining negotiations over the next year. Despite that, a few opt-out declarations have come as surprises.

Count Bobcats center Tyson Chandler among them. Chandler, a 27-year-old scheduled to make $12.6 million next season, is strongly considering opting out of his deal, reports ESPN's Chad Ford.

HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Only a tier-one, creme de la creme player should opt-out, leave eight-figures on the table, and become a free agent.

Translation: unless you're Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, or LeBron James, stay put. Average players - sorry, but that's you Chandler - should enjoy the obscene contract they signed when times were good in the NBA because the free agent landscape has changed.

For the most part, free agency now favors the buyer. Teams dictate money. Teams dictate term. And average players no longer command obscene, Enron-inflated contracts.

Chandler, an injury-prone center, won't get the money or a security he covets in free agency. His best option: not opting out and staying another year in Charlotte.